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Walt Longmire #6
Junkyard Dogs
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dry Bones, a modern-day range war in the sixth novel in the Longmire Mystery Series, the basis for the hit Netflix original series LONGMIRE
Craig Johnson's The Highwayman is now available from Viking. An Obvious Fact will be available in September 2016.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Craig Johnson's The Highwayman is now available from Viking. An Obvious Fact will be available in September 2016.
Junkyard Dogs, the sixth installment in the New York Times bestselling Longmire Mystery Series, the basis for LONGMIRE, the hit Netflix original drama series, takes us to Durant, Wyoming. It's a volatile new economy in Durant when the owners of a multimillion-dollar development of ranchettes want to get rid of the adjacent Stewart junkyard. Meeting the notorious Stewart clan is an adventure unto itself, and when conflict erupts—and someone ends up dead—Sheriff Walt Longmire, his lifelong friend Henry Standing Bear, and deputies Santiago Saizarbitoria and Victoria Moretti find themselves in a small town that feels more and more like a high-plains pressure cooker.
The hilarious and suspenseful sixth book in the Longmire series from The New York Times bestselling author of Hell Is Empty and As the Crow Flies finds our sheriff up to his badge in the darker aspects of human nature, making his way through the case with a combination of love, laughs, and derelict automobiles.From the Trade Paperback edition.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2010
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About the author
Craig Johnson
102 books4,965 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Craig Johnson an American novelist, short story writer, and playwright. . He lives in Ucross, near Sheridan, Wyoming, population 25.
Johnson has written twelve novels featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire: The Cold Dish, Death Without Company, Kindness Goes Unpunished, Another Man's Moccasins, Junkyard Dogs, The Dark Horse (which received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, and was named one of Publisher's Weekly's best books of the year in 2009), Hell Is Empty, As The Crow Flies and A Serpent's Tooth. The Cold Dish and The Dark Horse were both Dilys Award finalists, and Death Without Company was named the Wyoming Historical Association's Book of the Year. Another Man's Moccasins received the Western Writers of America Spur Award for best novel of 2008 as well as the Mountains and Plains award for fiction book of the year.
Former police officer; has also worked as an educator, cowboy, and longshoreman.
AWARDS: Tony Hillerman Award for "Old Indian Trick"; fiction book of the year, Wyoming Historical Society, for Death Without Company, Wyoming Council for the Arts Award.
Craig Johnson an American novelist, short story writer, and playwright. . He lives in Ucross, near Sheridan, Wyoming, population 25.
Johnson has written twelve novels featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire: The Cold Dish, Death Without Company, Kindness Goes Unpunished, Another Man's Moccasins, Junkyard Dogs, The Dark Horse (which received starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, and was named one of Publisher's Weekly's best books of the year in 2009), Hell Is Empty, As The Crow Flies and A Serpent's Tooth. The Cold Dish and The Dark Horse were both Dilys Award finalists, and Death Without Company was named the Wyoming Historical Association's Book of the Year. Another Man's Moccasins received the Western Writers of America Spur Award for best novel of 2008 as well as the Mountains and Plains award for fiction book of the year.
Former police officer; has also worked as an educator, cowboy, and longshoreman.
AWARDS: Tony Hillerman Award for "Old Indian Trick"; fiction book of the year, Wyoming Historical Society, for Death Without Company, Wyoming Council for the Arts Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,358 reviews
January 20, 2015
So, I'm kind of over-indulging in books during winter break. Safe to say that this Walt Longmire is better than the prior. Nice small-town atmosphere, nice characterization, funny threads of humor. Kind of sad, however, to see Walt outwitted rather frequently. At least Henry knows the score.
Updated review (because I'm just that ocd about reviewing):
The sixth book in the series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire is a lot of fun, and brings life back into the Longmire series. It has to be hard being a mystery writer, immersing your characters in the dark side of human nature. Junkyard Dogs goes back to the roots of the Longmire mysteries by focusing on the characters in small town in Wyoming, bringing their quirks and lifestyles to life.
The story begins with a strong hook:
“I tried to get a straight answer from his grandson and granddaughter-in-law as to why their grandfather had been tied with a hundred feet of nylon rope to the rear bumper of the 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado.“
We begin with the misadventures of the Stewart clan, managers of the Municipal Solid Waste facility, aka Town Dump. As Walt is sorting through their latest mishap that ends at the emergency room, Doc discovers one of the Stewarts recently found a finger at the dump. Meanwhile Santiago Saizarbitoria, one of Walt’s deputies, is considering quitting after events in the prior book. Walt decides the missing appendage is the perfect way to ease Santiago back into action while giving him time to reconsider. As Walt gives a hand (har, har) to the Stewart clan, he discovers old man Geo is having a secret romance, and when tempers flare at the junkyard, Walt’s sure it is because the secret is out. It isn’t, but it won’t be long before it is.
The characterization brings a much-needed humor back to the series. I actually laughed out loud in chapter one, because the situation was so absurd–and yet plausible the way it developed, bad decision by bad decision. While amusing, the characters remained quite human, with their own logic, seriousness and tragedy in their lives that took them beyond mere comedic appearances (I’m looking at you, Stephanie Plum, Mooner and Sally Sweet). I wish the same could be said of the relationship between Vic and Walt. Although tension between them continues to simmer, at this point it feels more forced, neither progressing organically nor cooling off. Flirtation between them often feels more awkward than entertaining, with the exception of some delightful police banter that’s prelude to an illegal but informative search. Luckily, those occasions aren’t the primary focus of Walt’s life right now, so it didn’t distract overmuch. Despite the comedy, Johnson still manages a respectful balance of character:
“There was an Indian air about Geo, or maybe it was a mountain man quality. Some people live on the high plains because they can’t live anywhere else, their antennae fixed to a frequency that is preset to offense. Once in a long while they venture into town and drink and argue too much. Like fine instruments of delicate temperament rarely played, they become untuned and discordant.“
Plotting is interesting. It’s a methodical pace with the beginning of the story focused more on character build and day-to-day policing, but eventually all the pieces come together and the action rockets forward. The ending felt a bit contrived and done to a Hollywood scale that didn’t quite match the Andy Griffith down-home beginning. A final nod to the quality of the setting, which gives a hint of what those fierce mountain winters must be like.
Overall, enjoyable and a solid entry into the Longmire canon that’s renewed my inspiration to continue the series.
Updated review (because I'm just that ocd about reviewing):
The sixth book in the series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire is a lot of fun, and brings life back into the Longmire series. It has to be hard being a mystery writer, immersing your characters in the dark side of human nature. Junkyard Dogs goes back to the roots of the Longmire mysteries by focusing on the characters in small town in Wyoming, bringing their quirks and lifestyles to life.
The story begins with a strong hook:
“I tried to get a straight answer from his grandson and granddaughter-in-law as to why their grandfather had been tied with a hundred feet of nylon rope to the rear bumper of the 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado.“
We begin with the misadventures of the Stewart clan, managers of the Municipal Solid Waste facility, aka Town Dump. As Walt is sorting through their latest mishap that ends at the emergency room, Doc discovers one of the Stewarts recently found a finger at the dump. Meanwhile Santiago Saizarbitoria, one of Walt’s deputies, is considering quitting after events in the prior book. Walt decides the missing appendage is the perfect way to ease Santiago back into action while giving him time to reconsider. As Walt gives a hand (har, har) to the Stewart clan, he discovers old man Geo is having a secret romance, and when tempers flare at the junkyard, Walt’s sure it is because the secret is out. It isn’t, but it won’t be long before it is.
The characterization brings a much-needed humor back to the series. I actually laughed out loud in chapter one, because the situation was so absurd–and yet plausible the way it developed, bad decision by bad decision. While amusing, the characters remained quite human, with their own logic, seriousness and tragedy in their lives that took them beyond mere comedic appearances (I’m looking at you, Stephanie Plum, Mooner and Sally Sweet). I wish the same could be said of the relationship between Vic and Walt. Although tension between them continues to simmer, at this point it feels more forced, neither progressing organically nor cooling off. Flirtation between them often feels more awkward than entertaining, with the exception of some delightful police banter that’s prelude to an illegal but informative search. Luckily, those occasions aren’t the primary focus of Walt’s life right now, so it didn’t distract overmuch. Despite the comedy, Johnson still manages a respectful balance of character:
“There was an Indian air about Geo, or maybe it was a mountain man quality. Some people live on the high plains because they can’t live anywhere else, their antennae fixed to a frequency that is preset to offense. Once in a long while they venture into town and drink and argue too much. Like fine instruments of delicate temperament rarely played, they become untuned and discordant.“
Plotting is interesting. It’s a methodical pace with the beginning of the story focused more on character build and day-to-day policing, but eventually all the pieces come together and the action rockets forward. The ending felt a bit contrived and done to a Hollywood scale that didn’t quite match the Andy Griffith down-home beginning. A final nod to the quality of the setting, which gives a hint of what those fierce mountain winters must be like.
Overall, enjoyable and a solid entry into the Longmire canon that’s renewed my inspiration to continue the series.
July 15, 2016
This is another entertaining book from Craig Johnson, whose books mix humor with crime on the high plains of Wyoming. Walt Longmire is the Sheriff of fictional Absaroka county and has a small department to cover a large, sparsely populated county. This book starts with a severed thumb, found in a cooler in a junkyard. Some people then get murdered and Walt and his deputies try to find out who is the murderer. There are some laugh out lines in this book. I rate it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Two quotes: "His hair has grown through his underwear." "Basque....High altitude Mexican."
This is book 6 in the series and I recommend that you read them in order.
Two quotes: "His hair has grown through his underwear." "Basque....High altitude Mexican."
This is book 6 in the series and I recommend that you read them in order.
March 2, 2024
4 Stars for Junkyard Dogs: Walt Longmire, Book 6 (audiobook) by Craig Johnson read by George Guidall.
Sheriff Longmire has his hands full when a developer is found dead. He’s going to have to wade through a bunch of corrupt and violent dealings to get to the bottom of it.
Sheriff Longmire has his hands full when a developer is found dead. He’s going to have to wade through a bunch of corrupt and violent dealings to get to the bottom of it.
December 27, 2013
I was afraid the Walt Longmire series was losing steam after book four experimented with extensive flashbacks from the Vietnam war and book five experimented with new locations and new characters. Both no. 4 and no. 5 focused almost exclusively on Walt, not a bad thing in itself, but I missed the rest of the team from the Absaroka County Sheriff Department. And I missed the lighter tone, the jokes, the sarcasm and the easy friendship between the Sheriff and his deputies. Luckily for me and for my plans to continue with the series, Junkyard Dogs is a return to the form that first attracted me to the wild, windy and winsome Wyoming.
February is not the best of times to visit the place: cut off from the world by blizzards, freezing fogs, roads turned to skating rinks by thick ice, utilities piping burst to pieces. The locals (Walt in particular) dream of retiring to places in the sun ""where there were no electric outlets on the parking meters to plug the engine block heater of your vehicle into, and where Gore-Tex and fleece were foreign words.". One would think it is too cold even for criminals to be out and about their evil deeds. But there's a case of reckless endangerment afoot - the most hilarious piece of screwball mayhem I've read in a long time - as 72 years old Grampus George Stewart enters the town of Durant tied with a nylon rope from the rear fender of a 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado.
The Stewarts are a sort of Northern redneck family, owners of the city dump and of the local junkyard for wrecked cars. Geo is assisted by his grandson Duane and his grand-daughter-in-law Gina, lives in a grand old mansion that used to be a bawdy house and is guarded now by two huge dogs with a lot of wolf in their family tree. Hence the title, which can be interpreted not only literally, but also as a metaphor for the lowlifes living on the edge of civilization.
The novel retains throughout some of the humor of the spectacular opening, and features most of the regulars : Henry Standing Bear, Vic, Ruby, Dog in one of his best roles, Old Sheriff Lucian Connally. But Craig Johnson knows how to introduce the serious stuff into the equation, as the conflict escalates between old Geo Stewart and his neighbor Ozzie Dobbs, a rich land developer who wants to evict the rednecks. The discovery of a large cache of drugs means the game will soon turn deadly.
From the supportin characters, the star role in this novel is reserved for Santiago Saizarbitoria, aka Sancho, aka the Basquo, who has to deal with psychological stress following injury in the line of duty, compounded by family upheaval with the arrival of his newborn son. There's also a very nice romance that offers Walt a chance to show off some of his literary chops by making fun of Evelyn Waugh and his " Love in the Ruins novel. Some promising developments outside the actual Stewart casefile are delayed for a later novel, but I really look forward to see Henry as a wedding master.
I'm trying not to give away the plot, which is not very original, but compensates by a very lively pacing, interesting characterization and convincing local colour, especially when it comes to describing the vicissitudes of winter on the High Plains. The best scene in the novel belongs to the "Only in Wyoming!" category, but I will have to put it in
I do have a minor complaint about the book, not enough to spoil the adventure, but a noticeable distraction: there are a lot of brand names inserted into the text, more than the need to add local colour justifies. This type of product placement is usually seen in movies, but I'm starting to feel like some companies have bought space in the story, like those annoying google ads that are inserted right in the middle of articles on the web.
Conclusion: book six reinvigorated the series for me after a slowdown in the previous two books, and I hope the humour will remain a factor in the next one.
September 14, 2021
I love Walt Longmire. And I love the humor and sarcasm in these books about Longmire. There was a lot going on in this one and it was very enjoyable. But if Walt doesn’t start being a little more careful he is going to have to retire!! I lived in Wyoming for 3 years as a kid and the cold he describes….I lived through. I remember days that hit a high of 0 and nights that made it down to -40.
April 27, 2015
The Hook - The cover alone influenced me to read this book. Add that it’s the sixth in the first-rate Sheriff Walt Longmire Mystery Series and I found a way to spend an easy reading day.
The Line – ”To each man, his own paradise.”
The Sinker – It’s a godawful winter in Absaroka County Wyoming, worse than the winter we just experienced in the East, if you need a picture. 2 weeks of deep-freezing temps with no hint of a reprieve. No wonder the Sheriff is a bit grumpy. His mood is going to get worse as the action begins. First, there’s the old guy tied to the bumper of a 68’ Olds Toronado who has been dragged quite a distance by his grandson and lives to tell the tale. Seems like there outta be a crime here but wait until you find out what really happened. His Deputy, Sancho Saizaarbitoria, the Basquo (everyone has at least 3 names in Longmire’s world it seems) wants to quit and go back to corrections. Deputy Vic, his on-again off-again bed partner wants a raise and is a bit testy herself and his daughter, Cady, has got Henry Standing Bear planning her wedding to Vic’s brother Mike. Then the Sheriff finds Mrs. Dobbs, his ninth grade English teacher, now 80 is dating that old man, the one dragged by the Toronado. Geo (George) runs the junkyard; excuse me, the Municipal Solid Waste Facility. Did I mention the two-gallon Styrofoam cooler with the tip of a thumb embedded in ice or that Sheriff Longmire needs an eye operation within 2 weeks or he might go blind? All this and only page 35.
Things I learned this outing. There is such a tobacco as Medicine Tail Coulee Blend. Spade Cooley really is The King of Western Swing and though I couldn’t quite verify Absaroka County (fictional) might have had 40” of snow in April, 1970.
Junkyard Dogs is another solid entry in Johnson’s, fine Western series. The characters grow each outing and Johnson continues to color in our knowledge of the Wyoming landscape. Johnson deserves more readers in my opinion.
Oh, and by the way, there are junkyard dogs, Butch and Sundance. If I were you I wouldn’t turn my backside on them.
The Line – ”To each man, his own paradise.”
The Sinker – It’s a godawful winter in Absaroka County Wyoming, worse than the winter we just experienced in the East, if you need a picture. 2 weeks of deep-freezing temps with no hint of a reprieve. No wonder the Sheriff is a bit grumpy. His mood is going to get worse as the action begins. First, there’s the old guy tied to the bumper of a 68’ Olds Toronado who has been dragged quite a distance by his grandson and lives to tell the tale. Seems like there outta be a crime here but wait until you find out what really happened. His Deputy, Sancho Saizaarbitoria, the Basquo (everyone has at least 3 names in Longmire’s world it seems) wants to quit and go back to corrections. Deputy Vic, his on-again off-again bed partner wants a raise and is a bit testy herself and his daughter, Cady, has got Henry Standing Bear planning her wedding to Vic’s brother Mike. Then the Sheriff finds Mrs. Dobbs, his ninth grade English teacher, now 80 is dating that old man, the one dragged by the Toronado. Geo (George) runs the junkyard; excuse me, the Municipal Solid Waste Facility. Did I mention the two-gallon Styrofoam cooler with the tip of a thumb embedded in ice or that Sheriff Longmire needs an eye operation within 2 weeks or he might go blind? All this and only page 35.
Things I learned this outing. There is such a tobacco as Medicine Tail Coulee Blend. Spade Cooley really is The King of Western Swing and though I couldn’t quite verify Absaroka County (fictional) might have had 40” of snow in April, 1970.
Junkyard Dogs is another solid entry in Johnson’s, fine Western series. The characters grow each outing and Johnson continues to color in our knowledge of the Wyoming landscape. Johnson deserves more readers in my opinion.
Oh, and by the way, there are junkyard dogs, Butch and Sundance. If I were you I wouldn’t turn my backside on them.
February 27, 2016
Another tale of Walt Longmire and his deputies this time concerning a dynasty of Junkyard proprietors. When longmire gets involved it is all an accident which quickly turns into the next situation that involves some more violence, followed by a fatal encounter that takes a live. Add a jailbreak ending in murder and you'll find that Sheriff Waltmire has his hands full with a murder investigation while the physical damage to his body finally catches up with him.
His Deputies are restless and unhappy for a variety of reasons which Waltmire feels he has to fix while investigating murder and finding a shed load of narcotics.
If you finally, like me starting at the beginning of the series, arrive at this book you feel well rewarded with the development of the characters who all get to play their part, including Dog and Cheyenne Nation.
A very well written story that makes you want to read some more books in this series.
His Deputies are restless and unhappy for a variety of reasons which Waltmire feels he has to fix while investigating murder and finding a shed load of narcotics.
If you finally, like me starting at the beginning of the series, arrive at this book you feel well rewarded with the development of the characters who all get to play their part, including Dog and Cheyenne Nation.
A very well written story that makes you want to read some more books in this series.
August 16, 2017
As I continue my Longmire series read, full disclosure requires that I openly admit I am a devoted fan of the Longmire television show (on A/E and now Netflix) and have enjoyed reading the previous books in the Longmire book series that inspired that show even more. With that said, I am still doing my best to provide objective and an honest review.
“Junkyard Dogs” is the sixth book in the “Longmire” mystery series, continuing the fictional adventures of Walt Longmire, Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, his best friend, Henry Standing Bear; his loyal and outspoken deputy, Vic Moretti; his loyal and less outspoken deputy, Santiago Saizarbitoria; and Dog, his faithful animal companion. Walt’s daughter, Cady, the world’s greatest lawyer is offstage again during this adventure, planning her upcoming wedding to Vic’s brother.
This time the story takes place entirely in Walt’s town of Durant, Wyoming, and the outskirts of Absaroka County during a heavy snow-filled winter. It starts off with a local family patriarch being dragged him behind a 1968 Toronado and the discovery of a severed thumb. As the mystery unfolds, deaths start to pile up and family secrets get revealed as Walt chases one lead to another while dealing with his dysfunctional team members and two very intense junkyard dogs.
Although most of this outing takes place within the local limits, Johnson takes the opportunity to emphasize several of Walt’s comrades in personal and effective ways. Vic is trying to buy a home and move out of her trailer. Santiago is gun-shy, suffering from “bullet fever” after being stabbed in the last outing, and is seriously considering quitting his job. Johnson moves between the fast-paced moving mystery to focus on Santiago’s emotional struggles and its impact on his young family. Although Henry plays less of a role in this one, Vic is sharp enough for both, swearing and dancing her way closer to Walt’s heart. She has several one-liners that are classic, including one memorable profanity uttered after a surprise attack with a frying pan.
The balance between the primary mystery and the character development was well done. He knows how to keep the reader’s attention by building suspense with authentic characters. Like the prior books, he makes me feel like I am there by Walt’s side every step of the way. I especially liked the two surprises at the very end, linking two of the sub-plots in a well delivered payoff for the reader that was an extra treat.
Six books into the Longmire series, I would like to say that Johnson is finding his way as a writer, but that would be a wrong statement. He has found his rhythm with since the first outing – good mystery, strong character development, and the beautiful setting of Absaroka County – and he just keeps getting better with each new adventure.
Overall, “Junkyard Dogs” continues that trend as a very worthy and enjoyable read.
“Junkyard Dogs” is the sixth book in the “Longmire” mystery series, continuing the fictional adventures of Walt Longmire, Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, his best friend, Henry Standing Bear; his loyal and outspoken deputy, Vic Moretti; his loyal and less outspoken deputy, Santiago Saizarbitoria; and Dog, his faithful animal companion. Walt’s daughter, Cady, the world’s greatest lawyer is offstage again during this adventure, planning her upcoming wedding to Vic’s brother.
This time the story takes place entirely in Walt’s town of Durant, Wyoming, and the outskirts of Absaroka County during a heavy snow-filled winter. It starts off with a local family patriarch being dragged him behind a 1968 Toronado and the discovery of a severed thumb. As the mystery unfolds, deaths start to pile up and family secrets get revealed as Walt chases one lead to another while dealing with his dysfunctional team members and two very intense junkyard dogs.
Although most of this outing takes place within the local limits, Johnson takes the opportunity to emphasize several of Walt’s comrades in personal and effective ways. Vic is trying to buy a home and move out of her trailer. Santiago is gun-shy, suffering from “bullet fever” after being stabbed in the last outing, and is seriously considering quitting his job. Johnson moves between the fast-paced moving mystery to focus on Santiago’s emotional struggles and its impact on his young family. Although Henry plays less of a role in this one, Vic is sharp enough for both, swearing and dancing her way closer to Walt’s heart. She has several one-liners that are classic, including one memorable profanity uttered after a surprise attack with a frying pan.
The balance between the primary mystery and the character development was well done. He knows how to keep the reader’s attention by building suspense with authentic characters. Like the prior books, he makes me feel like I am there by Walt’s side every step of the way. I especially liked the two surprises at the very end, linking two of the sub-plots in a well delivered payoff for the reader that was an extra treat.
Six books into the Longmire series, I would like to say that Johnson is finding his way as a writer, but that would be a wrong statement. He has found his rhythm with since the first outing – good mystery, strong character development, and the beautiful setting of Absaroka County – and he just keeps getting better with each new adventure.
Overall, “Junkyard Dogs” continues that trend as a very worthy and enjoyable read.
March 19, 2020
I love the Walt Longmire series! And I enjoyed the recent television series as well. Usually, I find myself a one-or-the-other type person when it comes to books or film/television adaptations. But, with Longmire I was able to separate both versions and enjoy both as related, but independent from each other. I think it is the characters -- even with the changes made for television -- that made that possible for me. Johnson wrote some wonderful characters for this series. Coupled with awesome casting for the show, it brought the concept alive on the small screen without destroying it (although they did make some pretty sweeping changes).
Junkyard Dogs is the 6th book in the Longmire series. It's property developer vs junk man in Absaroka County. What starts with a severed thumb in a cooler ends up with murder and dark secrets. I love how Craig Johnson mixes humor and western justice in this series. I'm never disappointed!
I listened to the audio book version of this story on my commutes to and from work. Perfect! As usual George Guidall gave a great performance as narrator. His voice is wonderful and he has excellent acting skills. Awesome listening experience! The audio is just over 7.5 hours long, so it is a manageable listening length. I have hearing loss, but was easily able to hear and understand the entire book. Good production value, Guidall reads at a steady pace and has an easily understandable voice, and there is no background hiss or other problems to cause hearing issues for those with hearing loss. I throw that in as sometimes it's a problem for me with some audio books....so I figure others with hearing loss must have the same issue at times.
On to the next book, Hell is Empty!
Junkyard Dogs is the 6th book in the Longmire series. It's property developer vs junk man in Absaroka County. What starts with a severed thumb in a cooler ends up with murder and dark secrets. I love how Craig Johnson mixes humor and western justice in this series. I'm never disappointed!
I listened to the audio book version of this story on my commutes to and from work. Perfect! As usual George Guidall gave a great performance as narrator. His voice is wonderful and he has excellent acting skills. Awesome listening experience! The audio is just over 7.5 hours long, so it is a manageable listening length. I have hearing loss, but was easily able to hear and understand the entire book. Good production value, Guidall reads at a steady pace and has an easily understandable voice, and there is no background hiss or other problems to cause hearing issues for those with hearing loss. I throw that in as sometimes it's a problem for me with some audio books....so I figure others with hearing loss must have the same issue at times.
On to the next book, Hell is Empty!
August 4, 2010
First Sentence: I tried to get a straight answer from his grandson and granddaughter-in-law as to why their grandfather had been tied with a hundred feet of nylon rope to the rear bumper of the 1968 Oldsmobile Tornado.
It begins with a severed thumb found within a Styrofoam cooler at the junkyard. Sheriff Walt Longmire decides this might be a way to re-spark the drive in his bullet-shy deputy, Santiago Saizarbitoria. Little did Walt know that thumb would lead to murders, drugs, kidnapping and family secrets.
Craig Johnson is a story teller in the classic and best sense of the word. You are captivated with the first sentence and taken along with Walt through the story to the end.
The characters are alive, real and balance each other beautifully. Walt is the personification of the good man who is intelligent, believes in his job, compassionate in his handling of people and dedicated to justice even when it takes a little bending of the law. Deputy Victoria Moretti is the street-wise, profane, East Coast transplant who provides edge to Walt’s calm. Of greater significance is that all the characters, whether recurring or episodic, are fully realized.
Johnson’s voice is one to which you cannot help but listen. His dialogue, whether it be Walt’s internal dialogue or that between characters, is audible. His humor often causes me to laugh aloud…”It was a two-gallon Styrofoam cooler—one of the cheap ones that you can pick up at any service station in the summer season and then listen to it squeak to the point of homicidal dementia.”
Sense of place and description can add so much to a story. Here were are in the middle of an exceptionally cold winter in Wyoming and no matter when and where you may be reading the book, you feel that cold. This particular book doesn’t convey as much of the openness of the area as some of the previous books, but it does make you aware of how small is the town and the relationships and history of the residents.
The story builds beautifully with it starting out fairly light and the tension building as the story progresses. I was never able to anticipate where the story was going yet the twists never seemed contrived. The element of the metaphysical is there but not overdone.
As much as I enjoyed the book, and I did, I don’t feel the story is up to the same standard as the previous books. It lacked growth, depth, tension, and focus, both of story and of characters.
I do recommend “Junkyard Dogs,” but really recommend reading the series from the beginning.
JUNKYARD DOGS (Pol. Proc-Walk Longmire-Wyoming-Cont) – G+
Johnson, Craig – 6th in series
Viking, ©2010, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780670021826
It begins with a severed thumb found within a Styrofoam cooler at the junkyard. Sheriff Walt Longmire decides this might be a way to re-spark the drive in his bullet-shy deputy, Santiago Saizarbitoria. Little did Walt know that thumb would lead to murders, drugs, kidnapping and family secrets.
Craig Johnson is a story teller in the classic and best sense of the word. You are captivated with the first sentence and taken along with Walt through the story to the end.
The characters are alive, real and balance each other beautifully. Walt is the personification of the good man who is intelligent, believes in his job, compassionate in his handling of people and dedicated to justice even when it takes a little bending of the law. Deputy Victoria Moretti is the street-wise, profane, East Coast transplant who provides edge to Walt’s calm. Of greater significance is that all the characters, whether recurring or episodic, are fully realized.
Johnson’s voice is one to which you cannot help but listen. His dialogue, whether it be Walt’s internal dialogue or that between characters, is audible. His humor often causes me to laugh aloud…”It was a two-gallon Styrofoam cooler—one of the cheap ones that you can pick up at any service station in the summer season and then listen to it squeak to the point of homicidal dementia.”
Sense of place and description can add so much to a story. Here were are in the middle of an exceptionally cold winter in Wyoming and no matter when and where you may be reading the book, you feel that cold. This particular book doesn’t convey as much of the openness of the area as some of the previous books, but it does make you aware of how small is the town and the relationships and history of the residents.
The story builds beautifully with it starting out fairly light and the tension building as the story progresses. I was never able to anticipate where the story was going yet the twists never seemed contrived. The element of the metaphysical is there but not overdone.
As much as I enjoyed the book, and I did, I don’t feel the story is up to the same standard as the previous books. It lacked growth, depth, tension, and focus, both of story and of characters.
I do recommend “Junkyard Dogs,” but really recommend reading the series from the beginning.
JUNKYARD DOGS (Pol. Proc-Walk Longmire-Wyoming-Cont) – G+
Johnson, Craig – 6th in series
Viking, ©2010, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780670021826
September 17, 2019
Maybe not quite as exciting as the previous books but visiting all these much loved book-people and Absaroka County, Wyoming will always be one of my favorite things to do. And as long as the amazing George Guidall is narrating, I'll always be listening!
June 29, 2018
An excellent entry in the Longmire series, this one was a little funnier than other entries. The opening incident of the gentleman being dragged over his house was told years ago about a Decatur, Illinois man. Everyone swore it was true but no one knew who the fellow was. It's still funny. I wish Johnson had never gotten Walt and Vic involved. In this day and age, even if Vic doesn't object, Walt is liable to be ridden out of town on a rail if the affair becomes known. Overall, a very good book for any Longmire fan.
December 12, 2022
The first seven pages had me laughing so hard that I could not breathe. I am amazed at how often Walt manages to get in incredulous situations. I think I will read the next in the series while I am on a roll.
July 17, 2020
6,5/10
Por ahora es el más flojo de todos los libros de la saga. No sé si tiene que ver con que lo leí en inglés, en castellano no está ni va a estar, y en mi caso me cuesta más disfrutar cuando leo algo que no está en mi lengua materna.
En cualquier caso, la trama detectivesca me ha parecido flojita y sin mucho punch, los secundarios que normalmente dan mucha vida a esta saga, han estado más sosos en líneas generales.
Supongo que continuaré con el séptimo más pronto que tarde, ya que a pesar de no haberme enganchado tanto, sigue siendo una lectura adictiva y que me gusta.
Por ahora es el más flojo de todos los libros de la saga. No sé si tiene que ver con que lo leí en inglés, en castellano no está ni va a estar, y en mi caso me cuesta más disfrutar cuando leo algo que no está en mi lengua materna.
En cualquier caso, la trama detectivesca me ha parecido flojita y sin mucho punch, los secundarios que normalmente dan mucha vida a esta saga, han estado más sosos en líneas generales.
Supongo que continuaré con el séptimo más pronto que tarde, ya que a pesar de no haberme enganchado tanto, sigue siendo una lectura adictiva y que me gusta.
April 10, 2017
the writing is first-rate, the setting rugged, and the characters, whom I adore, are quite engaging. I plan to read deeper into the series. 5 stars.
June 10, 2022
I love good mysteries mixed with good humor, and this one filled the bill from the very start. As if it's not enough to read about a family that cleans the chimney using a rope anchored to the bumper of their car, and of course someone doesn't realize they did this and decides to drive to the store without knowing her grandfather is being dragged along behind until she stops and he hits the car (fortunately, it was freezing cold and icy). But a neighbor said the old man waved as he passed by, and the granddaughter's comment was that they liked that neighbor. Then there's Walt's deputy Victoria, who is always good for a laugh. Even when she was knocked out with a big frying pan and Walt thought she might be dead, her first words were typical: "Fuck me!"
The whole story had a bit of a Keystone Cops feel, although the story was interesting in addition to the humor. I loved the TV series, and I'm loving the books. I'm glad I saw the series first, because I have the characters pictured in my mind, and it always fits. And the narrator is one of my favorites, George Guidall; he does a great job narrating these books.
The whole story had a bit of a Keystone Cops feel, although the story was interesting in addition to the humor. I loved the TV series, and I'm loving the books. I'm glad I saw the series first, because I have the characters pictured in my mind, and it always fits. And the narrator is one of my favorites, George Guidall; he does a great job narrating these books.
September 27, 2018
Another satisfying audible listen while traveling with husband in car. Sheriff Longmire stumbles upon a severed thumb and a pot growing operation only to be saved by Dog in the end. The characters in this Walt Longmire series are humorous, smart and unique. Fun as always.
March 2, 2011
Craig Johnson's books, read by George Guidall, have something of the wise old dad about them. No matter that Walt Longmire, sheriff of Wyoming's Absaroka County, is not so old he doesn't lust after his deputy, the apple-assed Vic Moretti. That just makes him more of a man. And man he is. Bearing all manner of physical insult, he comes out on top once again, chasing his quarry through an 18" snowstorm high in the hills surrounding Red Lodge, Montana.
The ridiculous nature of the events that set off a chain of murders can only be based in truth because no novelist would create such stories for fear his tribe of readers would leave him for dead. In interviews Johnson tells us that he gets the basis for his outrageous stories from his friends in the police, so the one about the man cleaning the chimney in the middle of the winter with a rag soaked in kerosene, and tied with a rope to the bumper of a Durango, has got to be true. Hard as it is to believe. But it is the home-smoked flavor of these great western stories that make this series so...home grown.
This is a series I allow myself to savor like a fine cigar. I pace myself, withholding the pleasure of beginning a new story until I feel I have earned a special treat. They are soothing to the soul, funny to the bone, candy for the brain, and oh-so-reassuring for those among us who fear wisdom eludes our public servants.
The ridiculous nature of the events that set off a chain of murders can only be based in truth because no novelist would create such stories for fear his tribe of readers would leave him for dead. In interviews Johnson tells us that he gets the basis for his outrageous stories from his friends in the police, so the one about the man cleaning the chimney in the middle of the winter with a rag soaked in kerosene, and tied with a rope to the bumper of a Durango, has got to be true. Hard as it is to believe. But it is the home-smoked flavor of these great western stories that make this series so...home grown.
This is a series I allow myself to savor like a fine cigar. I pace myself, withholding the pleasure of beginning a new story until I feel I have earned a special treat. They are soothing to the soul, funny to the bone, candy for the brain, and oh-so-reassuring for those among us who fear wisdom eludes our public servants.
April 11, 2011
Junkyard Dogs turned out to be a different book than I was expecting, especially since it won the Best Sidekick award at the Left Coast Crime conference. Sheriff Walt Longmire needs all his sidekicks -- Deputies Vic Moretti and Sancho Saizarbitoria, mentor Lucian Connally, his friend Henry Standing Bear, and his dog Dog -- to solve the convoluted mystery in Junkyard Dogs.
What I liked best about this book was that the villains were not obvious from their personalities and actions. I kept being surprised -- and yet, Johnson played fair with the reader since Longmire was just as puzzled as I was for most of the book. He really needed his whole team. Of course, this cast of continuing characters is also one of the delights of this series. Wyoming's landscape and weather are always important in Johnson's books, and this one, set in an early but already hard winter, is no exception. I was glad I was reading it in spring and not a month or two earlier! Highly recommended; can stand alone, but why deny yourself? If you have not read this series before, go back and start at the beginning.
What I liked best about this book was that the villains were not obvious from their personalities and actions. I kept being surprised -- and yet, Johnson played fair with the reader since Longmire was just as puzzled as I was for most of the book. He really needed his whole team. Of course, this cast of continuing characters is also one of the delights of this series. Wyoming's landscape and weather are always important in Johnson's books, and this one, set in an early but already hard winter, is no exception. I was glad I was reading it in spring and not a month or two earlier! Highly recommended; can stand alone, but why deny yourself? If you have not read this series before, go back and start at the beginning.
January 5, 2011
This entertaining mystery gave me three nights of pleasure. I'd read an earlier title in the series, so Walt Longmire, the sheriff of a Wyoming town, wasn't a stranger to me. Battered and bruised, the big man Walt has trouble with his vision, an ailment not to dismiss lightly. Several murders crop up after a severed thumb is discovered inside of an ice cooler at the local landfill. Walt is a full-rounded, great character (I especially like the mannerisms the author uses) with a wry sense of humor. I had a little trouble keeping the other characters straight, since Walt likes to call them by various nicknames. Still the writing is first-rate, the setting rugged, and the characters, as I said, engaging. I plan to read deeper into the series.
December 29, 2016
Listened to the audio version. I really enjoy this narrator. While I like the show, I really think I like the books better. Walt is a more grounded person in the novels and CJ has a better handle on his character than the tv writers do. This was amusing in parts and I love Walt's inner voice. Yup, totally prefer the books. Sorry, lovely tv show.
June 13, 2020
Autre livre de mon challenge En sortir 20 en 2020. Ravie de retrouver Longmire même si je trouve qu’on voit trop peu Henry. Et le Wyoming.
November 1, 2015
This is one of my favorite series and I am enjoying each installment. The deputies are back in this one, and with them the snark and banter I'd been missing offset with gruff affection and heartfelt concern. It's also bitterly cold out, helping set a dark tone that intensifies the hunt for whodunit. The connections between characters are curious in a way small towns can be.
September 15, 2021
Great book. Only wish I started reading this series in order since there are many references to past episodes. Back to the beginning I go!
October 8, 2021
Whenever I pick up the next Walt Longmire book, I feel like it opens its arms up and envelops me in a warm hug like it’s family. I just love all the characters and I’d have a hard time choosing a favorite. I thought this one had the most humor out of all of them so far. And of course, always looking forward to the next one!
September 18, 2023
A clever plot twist, coupled with the ever entertaining interplay between Walt and his ball o' fire deputy, Vic, saved this one from falling too far below the (high) bar set for this series by the author.
Seems that a wealthy group of investors want to expand their housing development over the adjacent Stewart junkyard. The inevitable fly-in-the-ointment, of course, is that the Stewart family is a rather unusual collection of individuals (and a pair of vicious dogs). Nothing will go as one would expect, and when one of them is murdered, quickly followed by another killed at close range, Walt finds himself struggling to bring justice to whomever is doing the killing.
What is missing from this story, and what brought its rating down some, was the lack of involvement of Henry Standing Bear, and the only slightly greater frequency of appearances by deputies Santiago Saizarbitoria and my personal favorite, Victoria Moretti.
Sure, they are here, to a lesser degree than I prefer, but the story seemed to center on Walt's physical maladies and the menacing presence of two "junkyard" dogs named Butch and Sundance. Of course, Johnson sets up an eventual showdown that brings in the Sheriff's pet, the massive canine called, simply, "dog." This four legged character appears in many of the stories, but usually as a passing reference. I had wondered when Johnson might involve him in some form of action, and this was it.
Honestly, although that scene was well written, it came as sort of a contrivance and in retrospect, was fairly predictable.
Overall, this was a 3.5 star story, but because I'm a fan and the writing is entertaining for the most part, it merits the round-up to 4. I'll continue reading these, but hope for a bit more substance.
Seems that a wealthy group of investors want to expand their housing development over the adjacent Stewart junkyard. The inevitable fly-in-the-ointment, of course, is that the Stewart family is a rather unusual collection of individuals (and a pair of vicious dogs). Nothing will go as one would expect, and when one of them is murdered, quickly followed by another killed at close range, Walt finds himself struggling to bring justice to whomever is doing the killing.
What is missing from this story, and what brought its rating down some, was the lack of involvement of Henry Standing Bear, and the only slightly greater frequency of appearances by deputies Santiago Saizarbitoria and my personal favorite, Victoria Moretti.
Sure, they are here, to a lesser degree than I prefer, but the story seemed to center on Walt's physical maladies and the menacing presence of two "junkyard" dogs named Butch and Sundance. Of course, Johnson sets up an eventual showdown that brings in the Sheriff's pet, the massive canine called, simply, "dog." This four legged character appears in many of the stories, but usually as a passing reference. I had wondered when Johnson might involve him in some form of action, and this was it.
Honestly, although that scene was well written, it came as sort of a contrivance and in retrospect, was fairly predictable.
Overall, this was a 3.5 star story, but because I'm a fan and the writing is entertaining for the most part, it merits the round-up to 4. I'll continue reading these, but hope for a bit more substance.
April 13, 2022
Another good Longmire book. This one has some
twists and turns and a little dubious activity surrounding the area dump. It was ok. Not as strong as some of the others, but still entertaining and concise.
twists and turns and a little dubious activity surrounding the area dump. It was ok. Not as strong as some of the others, but still entertaining and concise.
May 25, 2010
It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud and “Junkyard Dogs” with its quirky cast of characters and oddball situations, really caught me off guard. Though well into the Walt Longmire series, anyone picking up “Junkyard Dogs” as a first look into the world of Johnson’s work, would never notice.
Outsiders would imagine living in Absaroka County, Wyoming would be pretty damn peaceful. A quaint, small town with a slower pace; where you know your neighbors and people get along purely because there aren’t that many people to know. Outsiders would be wrong. While relatively quiet, it seems there are hundreds of ways to get yourself into trouble when you’re locked into a town during the middle of winter.
Sheriff Walt Longmire is no spring chicken and with a long list of injuries, he has been around the block a few times. Walt is used to the unusual ways of the residents, but sometimes their dim-witted actions are too much for him to process. When old timer Geo Stewart—owner of the local junkyard—is found after being dragged behind a car for several miles, Walt wishes for a life of leisure in sunny, warm New Mexico. Neither he, nor his team, could imagine the chaotic mess that would follow as Walt pursues an astronomical crime ring.
Johnson’s storytelling style never misses a beat as he dips readers into a down-home form of face-to-face detecting.
Outsiders would imagine living in Absaroka County, Wyoming would be pretty damn peaceful. A quaint, small town with a slower pace; where you know your neighbors and people get along purely because there aren’t that many people to know. Outsiders would be wrong. While relatively quiet, it seems there are hundreds of ways to get yourself into trouble when you’re locked into a town during the middle of winter.
Sheriff Walt Longmire is no spring chicken and with a long list of injuries, he has been around the block a few times. Walt is used to the unusual ways of the residents, but sometimes their dim-witted actions are too much for him to process. When old timer Geo Stewart—owner of the local junkyard—is found after being dragged behind a car for several miles, Walt wishes for a life of leisure in sunny, warm New Mexico. Neither he, nor his team, could imagine the chaotic mess that would follow as Walt pursues an astronomical crime ring.
Johnson’s storytelling style never misses a beat as he dips readers into a down-home form of face-to-face detecting.
May 20, 2014
The last two Walt Longmire books were both really disappointing. The series featuring the aging Sheriff seemed to be stalling with two books pretty much self sabotaged by Craig Johnson. At least I assume it was him and not the result of some very poor editorial advice probably connected to pacing. Both books were completely ruined by being told in flashback and featured only minimal appearances of the regular cast of characters. But Junkyard Dogs sees a welcome return of the old, slow burn style that hooked me in the first place. The humour is turned up a notch with Walt's tendency to get injured getting a bit of a sending up. All the cast are here, with only some of the minor characters left out. It all kicks off with an old guy getting dragged along on a tow rope for several miles by his nearest and dearest, waving at bystanders as he clatters by. Following on from a sub plot line begun several books ago, Walt's newest deputy is having psychological issues after getting severely injured in the line of duty and plans to quit. Walt has other ideas. Dog gets to do his heroic hound thing again. Walt's on/off romance with feisty deputy Vic is mostly off. Henry does his tracking thing. And it's cold and the snow is coming in again. And it's all so very cosy and as far as I'm concerned.... just what the doctor ordered.
October 12, 2017
I wish Walt and Vic would figure out their relationship - well at least Walt because he's the one who seems to be putting the brakes on everything.
Good story. I thought it was going to be the but no. Another surprise to me ending which has once again brought down my ego guessing these mysteries. Very good book/series.
Good story. I thought it was going to be the but no. Another surprise to me ending which has once again brought down my ego guessing these mysteries. Very good book/series.
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